Course content.
Take a hands-on approach to projects with real clients and acquire valuable skills for your future career by working on design projects tailored to clients and target groups. The focus is on two to three cooperative projects, in which you will be working on real-life jobs in interdisciplinary design teams, going through the entire process, from the briefing and concept phase to the creation of schedules and detailing, through to the final presentation. Through topic-based learning, you will acquire professional skills on creative techniques, project organization and basic legal knowledge by addressing the following questions: How do I come up with a good idea? How do I manage my project? How do I write a quote? What do I need to keep in mind when interacting with clients and companies that are executing the project? What do I need to consider when setting up a business? The course will also offer you an opportunity to reflect on your career planning and learn how to achieve a healthy work-life balance.
The “Student Design Agency” minor is offered by the Bachelor of Arts in Design degree programme.

Skills acquired in the course.
The “Student Design Agency” minor focuses on practical experience, career and interdisciplinarity as well as creating, producing, managing, collaborating, publishing, curating and presenting. Students also learn how to plan and organize projects, employ design and creativity techniques, work within the bounds of their own resources and skills, speak with clients and suppliers, work in a team constellation, and be a team player.

Admissions requirements.
The “Student Design Agency” minor is open to all Bachelor students at ZHdK and is recommended for students of all specializations in the Bachelor Design who bring a keen interest in working on client engagements in interdisciplinary design teams. Specific admission requirements for the minor are checked by means of a self-declaration.

Language skills required.
You need the following languages to take this minor:
–  German or English: to be able to follow a discussion
–  German or English: to actively participate in a verbal exchange
–  German or English: to understand a text
–  German or English: to write a text

Benefits of studying this minor.
Brainstorming, hands-on experience, networking, connections with other subject areas, interdisciplinarity, career planning and health (work-life balance).

Time structure.
Autumn Semester:
From calendar week 38, Friday afternoons between 1pm and 5pm until calendar week 51
Minor block during calendar weeks 02–04, Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm

Spring Semester:
Minor block during calendar weeks 08–10, Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm
From calendar week 11, Friday afternoons between 1pm and 5pm until calendar week 13

→ More information about this minor (PDF download)

Minor Coordination

At ZHdK, students choose a Major. In addition to this core subject, they can choose one or two Minors to deepen or expand their major skills and knowledge across various disciplines. This wide choice of courses is unique in Europe and enables students to develop and sharpen their individual profile.